Users want the YouTube dislike button to be left in peace
“They don't want you to downvote AI slop into oblivion.”
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- YouTube is testing a design that moves the dislike button into an overflow menu.
- Users say the change makes it harder to signal unwanted content.
- YouTube removed public dislike counts five years ago, but creators can still see them in Studio.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
YouTube is experimenting with the placement of its dislike button, leaving users discontent about its new design choices.
The platform is testing a new dislike button placement by putting it in the overflow menu, leaving only the like button clearly visible.
However, the change didn’t sit right with the YouTube community.
“First, the dislike counter got removed, then the button got removed on YouTube Shorts, now the dislike button on regular YouTube videos has been moved to a menu,” noted one X user.
The thumbs-up and thumbs-down buttons on YouTube were first introduced in 2010. However, 5 years ago, the platform removed public dislike counts on videos, thereby protecting creators from being attacked with dislikes.
Even though the dislike button remained, viewers can no longer see how many dislikes a video has. This information is only available to creators via YouTube Studio.
Now, it seems the platform is making it harder for users to dislike content by requiring them to find the dislike button first.
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Why is YouTube hiding the dislike button?
Because the company hasn’t explained its approach to the dislike button, its latest placement test has left users speculating about its motives.
Some users discussed YouTube’s algorithm, suggesting reaction buttons serve as a way to filter what they want or don’t want to see.
“Literally removing the voice of people that helps us filter trash content,” wrote one user, adding, “The enshittification shall continue until morale improves.”
“50% of what I get suggested appears to be new accounts that use AI video and AI narrators. [..] All of the legit people are being replaced by unknowns. It's trash,” said another Redditor who uses YouTube to watch long-form information and education content.
YouTube is testing hiding the dislike button entirely and users aren’t happy
by u/Dilpickle2113 in technology
“They don't want you to downvote AI slop into oblivion,” added another user.
Some Redditors said that YouTube needs a new rival and that some are already using alternatives to the platform.
“Does YouTube understand they're not immune to a future where users walk away from their platform?” asked one user.
